Theatre Review: Broken Story

White Horse Theater Company in association with 134 West presents Broken Story. Written by Cyndy A. Marion. Directed by Tamara Ruppart.

It’s the late 90s in Los Angeles and Jess (Lindsay Danielle Gitter), a journalist from the New York Today, flew from New York to investigate the murder of Jane Hartman (Lynn Adrianna Freedman), a novelist and daughter of a mobster. Jane was a close friend of Johnny Klein, a construction mogul whose wife, Helen Klein, disappeared mysteriously in 1971.

In Los Angeles, Jess meets Kip Watson (David Hunter Jr.), Jane’s manager, and Darby (Liana Aráuz, Theatre Review: Detained), a socialite and Jane’s best friend. As these characters interact with each other, Jess’ imagination blends with reality in a space where Jane appears occasionally, telling Jess her complicated relationships with Kip, Darby, and the Kleins.

Jess herself, has a story to tell. She grew up rich in New York and since an early age she has been oddly interested in the lives of Johnny and Helen Klein and the life of Jane Hartman. Jess is also in a romantic relationship with Eddie (Rod Sweitzer), her Editor at the New York Today. Jane’s tragic death—a single shot in the back of the head—will reveal unexpected news to Jess that will alter her life forever.

The combination of reality and imagination offers an interesting interaction among the characters in a stage where the lighting (Katelan Braymer, lighting designer) plays an important role. The light changes set the mood and serve as smooth transitions between scenes, highlighting the mystery, the emotions, and the supernatural aspect of the story.

Director Tamara Ruppart delivers an entertaining play where the kinetics, the dynamic relationships among the characters, and the creative elements all work together to portray Jess’ enigmatic world of reality and imagination.

Broken Story

Written by Cyndy A. Marion. Directed by Tamara Ruppart. Cast: Lindsay Danielle Gitter, Lynn Adrianna Freedman, David Hunter Jr., Liana Aráuz, and Rod Sweitzer. Executive Producer Vanessa R. Bombardieri. Co-Producer Susan Lambert Hatem (134 West). Creative team: Scenic designer Andis Gjoni, Lighting Designer Katelan Braymer, Costume Designer Derek Nye Lockwood, Sound Designer Andy Evan Cohen, Incidental Music Joe Gianono, Projection Polaroid Photography Gail Thacker, Dramaturg Linda S. Nelson, and Stage Manager Hannah Raymond.